Police departments nationwide stand to cash in if state governments embrace a controversial plan proposed by The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to drop the definition of "drunk driving" from 0.08 to 0.05. The five-member board voted unanimously to approve the new policy suggestion.

I. NTSB Says Its Time to Get Strict

Drunk driving laws in the U.S. first landed in the early 1900s; New York became the first state to ban it in 1910, with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.15 percent blood alcohol. For many decades the limit remained at 0.15 in many states; then in the 1980s a push by advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) led to states embracing a stricter limit of 0.08, while adopting "zero-tolerance" limits of 0.01 or 0.02 percent blood alcohol for teenage drivers.

The NTSB justifies yet another serious increase, arguing that alcohol remains responsible for a third of road deaths. NTSB Chairman Debbie Hersman says there's "no silver bullet" for drunk driving, but she comments, "This is critical because impaired driving remains one of the biggest killers in the United States. In the last 30 years, more than 440,000 people have perished in this country due to alcohol-impaired driving. What will be our legacy 30 years from now? If we don't tackle alcohol-impaired driving now, when will we find the will to do so?"

While body chemistry varies, a 180-pound (81.6 kg) male will typically hit 0.08 after four "drinks" (12 oz. domestic beers) over an hour, according to the University of Oklahoma. Three drinks would be required to hit 0.06; however keep in mind that many "tall" (or standard size craft) beers or mixed drinks count as two or more "drinks".

II. Technology Battle Over Drunk Driving is Heated

According to the NTSB as little as 0.01 BAC (blood alcohol content) can lead to lane departures. At 0.02 they exhibit drowsiness, and at 0.04 their vigilance is substantially reduced.

Global blood alcohol limits [Image Source: NTSB]

Many police departments nationwide are increasing drunk driving ticket via another mechanism -- passive sensors. Passive sensors "sniff" the air for the presence of alcohol during traffic stops, so that officers don't have to rely on driving behavior, driver demeanor, or breath odor (which might be influenced by mints or gum) to determine if a driver might be drunk.

wait what?Why do you work 60-80hrs a week. A full time job is at least 80hrs a week.

10% on taxable income from $0 to $8,925, plus15% on taxable income over $8,925 to $36,250, plus25% on taxable income over $36,250 to $87,850, plus28% on taxable income over $87,850 to $183,250, plus33% on taxable income over $183,250 to $398,350, plus35% on taxable income over $398,350 to $400,000, plus39.6% on taxable income over $400,000.

I highly doubt you are making over 400k. If you were making over 400k, you still average well under that in taxes because only anything past 400k gets taxed 39.6%.

It takes about 4 beer to get an average man of 180 lb to .08 so a beer won't get you arrested. This is if you slam 4 beer and leave immediately. If you spend 2 hrs at the bar and drink 4 beer then you probably already processed 2 of them.

I don't slam bud lights considering I make over $400k/year ;) However, I do like Belgian beers, which are regularly 9-14% ABV and sold in 750ml bottles.

So as I said, I go out and enjoy one of my favorite beers, and I very well may be over that 0.05 BAC level. Looks like I'm gonna have to take a cab home after every single happy hour Monday - Friday during my 120 hour work week. Or just not go out at all and contribute nothing to my local economy, letting all my favorite bars and restaurants struggle to stay open.

God forbid I order a second beer and enjoy this American freedom. After 2 beers, I'm sure I'll be jailed for premeditated attempted vehicular mass murder and suicide.

Or maybe, just maybe, some people can drive just fine and should be granted the privilege once they demonstrate it to the licensing state.

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